News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-07-07
jim POULDERS MISTAKE,
III THOMAS DUNN ENGLISH:

4 pleasant, balmy day IN May: The
windows Of the railway car were open.
There was fine breeze stirring; and,
though q cloud of dust was blown In; i;
was also blown out, with the exception
of tired portion which stopped to rest
on the clothes of the passengers, or bur
rowed for its own safety in their ears OF
nostrils. There were only two vacant
seats in the car, and at Pankehap sta
ton two persons came in to fill them.
One of these WAS an old man-on sec
bnd look, he was probably not over fifty
with iron-gTay hair, partly covered by
q slOuched felt hat, and clad in d new
suit of gray stuff that seemed to have
been made for some one else. With him
was young and very pretty girl, whose
dress was of ordinary stuff, but well=fit-
ting, and who was well-gloyed and we'll
shod. The observer would set down the
two for well-tO-do farmer and his
daughter, who were travelling for bust
ness or pleasure. The man looked
around. The two vacant seats we're on
opposite sides of the car. In one of
them sat q young, well-dressed and ap-
pnrently self-satisficd gentleman, and
the space by his side was occupied by q
handbag of crocodile leather and Il
spring overcoat. In the other was an
other young man, not quite SO extraya-
gantly dressed, though neatly clad, and
not as handsome as the first, though he
had an open and intelligent counte-
nance. The farmer looked around, and,
motioning his daughter to the vacant
seat, said:
There's a place for YOU, Lucy"
Then, turning to the young man with
the satchel, he asked:
Seat engaged r.
The young man looked up, curled his
lip superciliously, and said:
Man to fill it'll be here presently, l
dare say"
"Ahi" said the farmer, coolly remov-
ing the gripsack and overcoat, and plac-
ing them on the young mans lap; ''then
I'll occupy it until he comes" And he
seated himself accordingly, while the
young man glared at him.
The one on the other side looked
amused; and then, rising, said:
''You had better exchange seats with
me, sir, and then the young lady and
yourself will be together"
''Thank you," was the farmers reply;
and the exchange was quietly effected
The two young men were evidently
acquainted, for the courteous one said
to the other, in low voice:
''Jim 'Poulder, you made a mistake
there"
II never make mistakes. Frank Boil
ing, replied the other. 81 dare say
you'll make your fortune some of these
days by being polite TO the granger
population; but my fortune is already
made"
Poulder yawned little, and at last
said: ''This is too dull for yours faith
fully, James Poulder. I'll go into the
smoking car and take a Whit. Have
snifter?" he inquired, producing a
pocket-fask.
mo, thank you,'' replied Boiling.
''That stuff is rather too fiery for me-"
''Here goes alone, then. That's as
line brandy as ever crossed the ocean.
Day-day Keep an eye to my traps,
will you7 and don't give up my seat to
every country yokel who asks it.
The elegant young gentleman shook
himself, and made his way forward to
the car especially provided for fumiga-
ton.
When he had gone, the old man
leaned over the arm of his seat, and adj
dressed Boiling.
excuse me, sir, but didn't your
friend who has left say that his name
was James Poulder 2"
''Tnat is his name, sir, replied the
young man; E'but he is not exactly a
friend of mine though We live in the
same place, and / know him very well. "
''May inquire where he is from 2"
'Ycs, sir; Careysburg."
''Son of Peter B. Poulder, the great
pork packer there, isn't he?"
eyes, sir"
ellis father should deal with him. 1t
would be quite III his line"
''Oh, papa - said sweet, reproach-
full voice, as those near, who heard the
colloquy Uttered.
'1t is a fact, LUCY" rejoined the
farmer.
The old man, who was evidently in
telligent, entered into n general conyer-
sation with the younger, and soon
showed that he was quite well informed.
Boiling was glad of conference so en-
tertaining, especially when, as his eyes
were bent in that direction, he saw the
young lady was an interested, and he
hoped, pleased listener There was
something very sweet in the expression
of her countenance-an unmistakable
impress ofmodesty and innocence on her
features. They chatted away, and the
elder, so dexterously that the younger
never perceived it, drew out of the other |
his position, prospects and intentions. |
Boiling was frank by nature, and the |
questions of his interlocutor, who was
as ingenious as the other was ingenious. |
were eraftily put. The sharp granger
soon learned that Frank Boiling had
been engaged for some time in the study
of the law; but that his father having
met with reverses, AID having two |
younger daughters to educate, the Young |
man had determined to make his bur,
den less, and had set out to support |
himself, abandoning his law studies. and |
taking a situation rs salesman at n
country store in Griffton, a thriving
town about five miles from the main |
line.
81 get but beggarly pay, of course, "